STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON PANEL FOR EDUCATION POLICY VOTE TO END EIGHTH GRADE SOCIAL PROMOTION

"For too long, eighth graders have simply been passed
along to high school, even if they were far below grade level and at risk of
dropping out. Tonight's vote will help ensure that these students will enter
high school ready to succeed. We will continue to work with the City
Council's Middle School Task Force, the Coalition for Educational Justice, and
other stakeholders to make sure that we provide middle school students with the
targeted academic support they need to meet our high standards and stay on track
for high school and beyond."